Today there was a great piece done on the Today Show about how to prevent Alzheimers. Surprisingly it may not be just your genetics but other environmental factors. The food you eat, your activity level, the stress you experience, and how social you are.

The modern lifestyle may make you miss something else that keeps the brain sharp: Enjoying the company of other people. Your ancestors never had to try to be social, it just came with the territory — they’d just bump into others all the time in the village and talk, he pointed out. So one of the most powerful things people can do is to move to an area with sidewalks, bike lanes and nearby shops so they’re more likely to meet their neighbors and make friends.

Location, Location, Location

Still the most important thing about real estate. When it comes to your mental well being, have a community where you can easily make and see your friends daily. Like an Active Adult Community!

A recent client was looking for a community with a full wood working shop available to use. There are not that many. I headed to my computer and started checking with each community. Many do have wood carving clubs, but only a few are large enough and chose to do full wood working shops.

There is something more than majestic to mountain views. They draw us to them like any aspect of nature. They help us stay calm, focused and centered. It is not surprising that people love a home that has a beautiful view of the Mountains.

The challenge is building homes on a hillside is much costlier than building on flat land.

Most of the Phoenix area Valley of the Sun is flat as well. We do have Mountains surrounding the city. Where will you have the best chance of having magnificent Mountain Views? In the communities closest to the biggest mountains.

The most significant mountains in the area are to the north and east of Phoenix; Tonto National Forrest, and Superstition Mountains. There are a few other notable mountains scattered around as well.

This next group have fewer homes with mountain views, but views are available. I then would go to Canta Mia next to the Estrella Mountain Regional Park, and Sun City Festival with views of the White Tank Mountains. Lastly I include Solera at Jonson Ranch located next to the San Tan Mountains.

The main factor in picking these communities was how quickly you could ride out of the city traffic, and get into some delightful small, and scenic roads. That means most of these communities are on the outer edges of the city.

Talking with a Farmers Insurance Agent, I discovered there are discounts for most of the Active Adult Communities in the Greater Phoenix Valley. Call your agent, or Barb for more information on getting your discounts.

Indoor Pool at Sun City Grand. Can you see people on the walking track upstairs?

If you like to swim for exercise, you probably don’t want to always do it outside in our blazing sun, or exit the pool with our cool mornings during the winter months. Indoor pools allow for consistent temperatures of the air and water limiting the excuses and increasing your swim time. For this best of list, I have included communities with Olympic sized pools, with a sloped walk in beach style entry and an exercise first lane. Allowing for multiple swimmers lanes, and a fabulous pool for any injury recovery physical therapy as well.

You are primarily going to find indoor Olympic sized pools in larger communities. Del Webb is the leader in this best of list. Their new community Sun City Festival has an Olympic Lap Pool connected to the resort pool. Maybe in the second Clubhouse there will be an Olympic indoor pool too.

If you love to relax around a beautiful pool then these communities should be at the top of your list. All of these communities have stunning resort feeling pools. Each pool has a gentle sloped beach entry. There is plenty of shade available to relax and enjoy your time around the resort pool. Loades of lounging chairs and restaurant and/or bar service.

If you are looking to experience every day as a vacation day, then checkout these communities.

This is a question I had to know the answer. If your not making a mortgage payment and every month a little of your equity is getting used up… how long does that take? And what happens if the loan becomes upside down? Do I have to pay it back?

A reverse mortgage, also called a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), uses the equity you already have in your home to re-finance and eliminate your mortgage payment; for as long as you (and your spouse) live in your home. It also lets you purchase a home by letting you access some of the homes value to never have a mortgage payment again. This loan requires one person to be a min of 62 years of age. It can create financial comfort and ease by eliminating the worry of home mortgage payments.

The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program offers people who are a min of 62 years of age (actually only one of you needs to be 62) the opportunity to purchase your home with as little as 40% cash down payment and never make a mortgage payment again.

This can make getting your dream retirement home a reality. You won’t need to put all your cash into the purchase of your home. Leaving you with more for living.

I sit down with Jacqui Hamilton a specialist in HECM loans to discuss what they are and the benefits.